09600SJ0080 Engrossed

LRB096 15335 MJR 30615 r





  
1

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 80
2

(As Amended by Senate Amendment No. 1)

  
 
3
    WHEREAS, Studies have shown that children provided with 
4
recess are more focused, on-task, and able to concentrate on 
5
educational material than those who are not afforded a recess 
6
period; cognitive function improves when a child has the 
7
opportunity for physical exercise and active play; and
  
 
8
    WHEREAS, Obesity rates among children have skyrocketed in 
9
recent years, with one in three American children now being 
10
considered overweight or obese; recess provides children with 
11
the opportunity for physical exercise during the school day; 
12
and
  
 
13
    WHEREAS, Recess is essential for providing students with a 
14
less structured period of time in which to engage in social 
15
interactions and develop interpersonal relationships with 
16
peers; it is often during this time that children improve their 
17
leadership and conflict resolution skills; and
  
 
18
    WHEREAS, A large number of students go every school day 
19
with no opportunity for a recess period; therefore, be it
  
 
20
    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL 
21
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
 


 






09600SJ0080 Engrossed
- 2 -
LRB096 15335 MJR 30615 r




1
CONCURRING HEREIN, that there is created a Recess in Schools 
2
Task Force; and be it further
  
 
3
    RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall be charged with 
4
examining the barriers facing schools in providing daily recess 
5
to every age-appropriate student and making recommendations 
6
for overcoming those obstacles; and be it further
 
7
    RESOLVED, That the Task force shall be comprised of the 
8
following 15 members:
9
        (1) two members appointed by the Governor, one of whom 
10
    shall be a medical professional with expertise in 
11
    children's health issues;
12
        (2) one member appointed by the President of the 
13
    Senate;
14
        (3) one member appointed by the Senate Minority Leader;
15
        (4) one member appointed by the Speaker of the House of 
16
    Representatives;
17
        (5) one member appointed by the House Minority Leader;
18
        (6) one member appointed by the Chicago Board of 
19
    Education;
20
        (7) one member appointed by the Governor upon 
21
    recommendation of the education labor organization 
22
    representing Chicago public school teachers;
23
        (8) one member appointed by the Governor upon 
24
    recommendation of a Statewide education labor 
 


 






09600SJ0080 Engrossed
- 3 -
LRB096 15335 MJR 30615 r




1
    organization;
2
        (9) one member appointed by the Governor upon 
3
    recommendation of another Statewide education labor 
4
    organization;
5
        (10) one member appointed by the Governor upon 
6
    recommendation of an organization representing principals;
7
        (11) one member appointed by the Governor upon 
8
    recommendation of a Chicago-based coalition of low-income 
9
    mothers and grandmothers focusing on family issues;
10
        (12) one member appointed by the Governor upon 
11
    recommendation of a parent-teacher organization;
12
        (13) one member appointed by the Governor upon 
13
    recommendation of an organization advocating for juvenile 
14
    justice reform;
15
        (14) one member appointed by the Governor upon 
16
    recommendation of an organization that advocates for 
17
    healthy school environments; and be it further
 
18
    RESOLVED, That the Task Force must meet within 60 days 
19
after the adoption of this resolution and submit a final report 
20
to the General Assembly by January 1, 2011 with its 
21
recommendations for bringing recess back to the maximum number 
22
of students.